The Peace River School Division has an urgent need for bus drivers. That is according to PRSD Transportation Manager, David Rushton, who says there is a shortage of drivers in the Peace River and Manning areas. “We have a fairly significant driver shortage in the Town of Peace River,” says Rushton. “We also have a shortage in Manning as well, but particularly in Peace River. We are running 33 routes (in Peace River) and are done to three-or-four spare drivers on a regular basis.”
Rushton says to be a bus driver will involve approximately two full weeks of training. “There is 53 and-a-half hours of training and 18 and-a-half hours are in the classroom, 11 are in the yard with the bus and 24 hours behind the wheel of driving time,” explains Rushton. While the licencing process is controlled by the province, Rushton says the school division handles everything for new recruits. “You have to do your enhanced knowledge test at a registry office,” states Rushton. “There is an enhanced road exam that is put on by a driver examiner that comes at our request.”
Rushton also tells the Trending 55 Newsroom about openings. “We could hire six-to-eight drivers and keep them relatively busy,” comments Rushton. “We can use at least three drivers in Manning as well.” Rushton adds the training costs are covered by the school division, and successful applicants will get paid during their training.
If you are looking to become a bus driver, they can call David Rushton at 780-624-3006 for more information.
– Kenny Trenton, Trending 55 Newsroom
